CBP Opening Section 321 Data Pilot to More Companies
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is announcing it will expand the Section 321 Data Pilot to more participants and will extend the pilot program for two more years. Section 321 provides for an administrative exemption from duty and taxes for imports valued under $800. CBP says, “Effective Immediately, CBP is expanding the test to accept applications for additional participants in this test from all parties that meet the eligibility requirements.” The program is being extended until August 2025. See details in the CBP notice.
Senate to Hold Hearing on Trade Enforcement
The Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing tomorrow, Thursday, February 16, 2023, at 10:30 a.m. EST, on trade enforcement. “Ending Trade that Cheats American Workers By Modernizing Trade Laws and Enforcement, Fighting Forced Labor, Eliminating Counterfeits, and Leveling the Playing Field” will include witness testimony from two AAEI members, Cindy Allen of FedEx Logistics and Brenda Smith of Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. To see the committee’s livestream of the hearing, click here.
CBP to Hold Forced Labor Tech Expo in DC Next Month
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will hold its first-ever Forced Labor Technical Expo in Washington, DC, next month at its headquarters, the Ronald Reagan Building. CBP says the event “offers a forum for industry to provide the international trade community with information about the latest technologies that can aid in securing and managing the flow of goods.” The Expo will be held on March 14-15, 2023. See details in the CBP notice.
EU Considers New Sanctions Package Against Russia
The European Commission is considering a new swath of economic sanctions against Russia, its 10th sanctions package, in time for the one year-anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The sanctions could include almost $12 billion-worth of trade bans on trucks, heavy vehicles, construction machines, pumps and other construction equipment and restrictions on some dual-use and electronic components used in Russian weapons. Read more from Reuters.
BIS Adds to Entity List over China Balloon
The Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) added five companies and one research institute in China to the Entity List in retaliation for China’s alleged recent use of spy balloon over U.S. airspace. The blacklist prevents U.S. companies from doing business with them unless they receive special licenses. BIS says These six entities have been determined by the U.S. Government to be acting contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. See details in the BIS notice.